Everything You Need to Know About the Golden Visa in the UAE

Your Comprehensive Guide to the Golden Visa in the UAE

Overview of the Golden Visa in the United Arab Emirates

The Golden Visa is one of the services provided by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security. Through this service, individuals who meet the required conditions can apply for nomination to obtain a long-term residency that may last up to ten years.

In this context, we previously wrote an article about How to Obtain a Maldives Visa: Key Information and Tips

The Golden Visa aims to encourage expatriates and their families to come to live, work, and study in the country by enjoying long-term residency without the need for a guarantor or sponsor within the country, or for renewal; it is automatically renewed, unlike regular residency which requires a sponsor and renewal. This helps to enhance the supportive environment for business growth and success in the UAE and to attract creatives and investors.

Beneficiary Categories of the Golden Visa in the UAE

The beneficiary categories of the Golden Visa in the UAE include the following:

• Investors: Investors in public investments or real estate if any of the following conditions are met:

1. Ownership of a property worth at least 2 million AED.
2. Purchase of a property with a loan from one of the local banks.
3. Purchase of one or more properties worth at least 2 million AED from local companies.

• Entrepreneurs: Requires meeting one of the following conditions:

1. Ownership or partnership in a registered entrepreneurial project within the category of small and medium enterprises, with annual revenues of no less than 1 million AED.
2. Approval of an entrepreneurial project idea from the competent authorities.
3. The applicant must be a founder or one of the founders of a previous entrepreneurial project that was sold for at least 7 million AED.

• Exceptional Talents: Individuals with exceptional talents in the fields of art, sports, culture, and digital technology, granted solely based on talent.
• Top Students and Graduates: Includes outstanding graduates according to specific GPA and university ranking requirements.
• Humanitarian Pioneers: Members of international and regional organizations, associations, and charitable institutions, award recipients in the field of humanitarian work, and distinguished volunteers.
• Frontline Workers: Includes workers addressing crises.
• Scientists, Specialists, and Doctors: Scientists and researchers with achievements in their field based on the recommendation of the UAE Council of Scientists, meeting certain conditions such as holding a master’s or doctoral degree in one of the engineering, scientific, or other specialties.

Specialists are skilled workers in all medical, engineering, technological, scientific, educational, cultural, and legal fields, provided they have a work permit in the country, hold at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, and have a monthly salary of no less than 30,000 AED.

Doctors can apply for the Golden Visa in the UAE if they meet at least two of the following conditions:

• Holding a professor degree from a university ranked among the top 500 universities in the world.
• Receiving an award or certificate of appreciation.
• Having several contributions in the field of scientific research.
• Having articles or scientific books in distinguished publications.
• Holding membership in one of the organizations related to the doctor’s field of work.
• Having at least 10 years of practical experience and holding a doctoral degree.
• Specializing in a scientific field that is required and important for the country.

Other Important Information about the Golden Visa

• Some of the key Golden Visa include gaining more stability for those planning long-term residency in the country and investing in it without the need for a sponsor. Golden Visa holders can also sponsor their family members, dependents, and employees in senior positions according to specific conditions for each category.
• The Golden Visa can include spouses, children, dependent parents, and siblings, varying by visa category.